Abstract: The subject of this research is innovative security of Rostov Oblast of the Russian Federation as a western border region in the present context of geo-economic uncertainty and intricacy. Relevance of this article is substantiated by the current geopolitical factor, when innovative systems of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation experience a strong negative external influence, which is a result of relations between Russia and Western countries. It has a greater impact on the border regions that are integrated into the international innovative and production chains, and have stable economic ties with the foreign partners. The novelty of this research consists in conceptualization of representations on innovative security through the prism of nonlinear dynamics of the complex open systems. The values of this research consists in empirical material acquired in the course of expert interviews. The comparison of obtained empirical qualitative and quantitative results allows concluding on the relatively consistent positive dynamics of innovative development of Rostov Oblast, but at the same time indicating the key issues in ensuring its innovative security in the new geopolitical realities.

Abstract: The paramount factor of ensuring economic security of the country and its regions is the sustainable growth of national economy. The level of innovation potential of economic subjects and workforce productivity are of instrumental importance for the economic growth in long-term perspective. Escalation of geopolitical uncertainty in the current Russian realities negatively influences the conduct of innovation activities, which is characterizes by the high level of ambivalence and risks. The economy of the frontier regions is especially affected by the geopolitical factor. The subject of this research is the innovation security of border regions of the European part of Russia, viewed as a paramount component of their economic security. Methodology is based on the theoretical and practical scientific approaches to innovation security, as well as the method of assessment of innovation component of economic security enshrined in the Russian Federation Economic Security Strategy until 2030. The author analyzes the dynamics of key indexes of innovation security for the seven bordering subjects of the Russian Federation: Smolensk Oblast, Kaliningrad Oblast, Leningrad Oblast, Rostov Oblast, Republic of Crimea, as well as federal cities Saint Petersburg and Sevastopol. The scientific novelty lies in adaptation of assessment methodology of innovation security as an element of economic security of the country to the regional level. The main contribution consists in determination of the specificity of ensuring economic security of the regions of western frontier of Russian in the innovation aspect. A conclusion is made on the strong territorial and structural differences of innovation systems of these subjects, which substantiates the need for conducting the territorial-adaptive policy to ensure their innovation development and economic security.